Advisory Council Overview
The Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) is dedicated to improving the quality and safety of patient and family care at Chester County Hospital. The Advisory Council, which meets monthly, is comprised of former patients, family members, and CCH employees who are committed to promoting an organizational culture that is person and family-centered. Patients and families are often the most knowledgeable members of the care team and can offer unique perspectives and valuable feedback regarding the standard of care they receive.
Mission
PFAC works with hospital employees to provide insights across a variety of medical disciplines and include physicians, nurses, safety and service specialists and managers by:
- Engaging in and advocating for improvement initiatives that impact safety, quality of care, and the patient and family experience.
- Advising on systems, structures and resources that support family presence and participation.
- Participating in forums and sharing healthcare experiences to help inspire, motivate and empower the audience to promote change.
Membership Eligibility
Patients, family members and CCH employees are eligible to become members of the Advisory Council. Prospective members of the Advisory Council must be committed to building partnerships with hospital staff to better understand and address healthcare challenges at the hospital. Members will become involved in hospital initiatives to improve quality of care and patient safety.
 "The Most Important Perspective in Health Care...Yours!"
Read this article about PFAC in the Spring 2017 issue of Synapse Magazine.
|
PFAC Team of Advisors and Staff Representatives
Advisors:
- Tim Dean, Secretary
- Ellen Donohoe
- Tara Lynn Johnson, Esq., Volunteer Chair (2022-2024)
- Tracey LoPolito, Past Volunteer Chair (2020-2022), Communications Manager
- Lillian McGhee
- Rodney McGhee
- Timmy T. Nelson
- Carlos Questell
- Migdalia Questell
- Tracey Simonelli
- Donna Smith
- Paul Socorso
- Vernet Spence-Brown
- Rick Stevenson, Past Volunteer Chair (2017-2018)
- Charlotte Talman
- Adrianna Trajtenberg
Staff Representatives:
- Angela Coladonato, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President of Nursing/CNO
- Thomas Gavin, Director of Development
- Carli Meister, M.Sc.(A), RN Director, Patient Experience and Risk
- Karen Pinsky, MD, Chief Quality and Medical Information Officer
- Kevin Sowti, MD, Medical Director Hospitalist Group, Section Chief, Hospital Medicine
Learn About The Patient and Family Advisory Council's Accomplishments/Projects
Hospital Structures/Expansion Projects:
Hospital Expansion Project During Construction Phase
- Shuttling – Beta testing of transporting visitors/patients from parking lot and garage to the new entrance during construction.
- Wayfinding - Reviewed new plans prior to implementation
- New signage both inside and outside to assist patients and visitors in finding their way around from the new entrance during construction
- Parking instructional map before distribution
- Architectural plans for private patient room configuration
- Architectural plans for new Procedural Area waiting rooms
NICU Renovation and Expansion Project
- Reviewed architectural design presentation for the renovation and expansion of the NICU from a patient and family perspective.
Abramson Cancer Center Renovation and Expansion Project
- Reviewed architectural design for the renovation and expansion of the Cancer Center from a patient and family perspective.
Hospital Process Projects:
Transitions of Care – The Discharge Process
- Advisors worked on improving the patient/family experience at the time of discharge to reduce readmissions. Tracked the improvements via hospital’s patient experience and re-admission data.
Observation vs. Inpatient Status Review
- Advisors surveyed both observation patients and admitted inpatients related to their patient experience and satisfaction to gain an accurate understanding of areas for improvement in the actual care of all the patients, their education and preparation for discharge and the overall feeling of being hospitalized under observation.
Press Ganey Patient Comments Project
- Advisors reviewed and analyzed written patient comments that accompany the Press Ganey Surveys for Inpatients and Observation patients over a period of a few months and made recommendations as to how the hospital staff can best utilize the patient comments to improve patient care.
Upcoming Initiatives
Maternal Community Services Consortium
- Advisors will be organizing a forum for coordination and collaboration between our Maternal Fetal Medicine Team and community based services that supports mothers and families for healthy outcomes.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Virtual Feedback Forum
- Advisors, in partnership with our NICU Team, will be hosting quarterly virtual roundtable discussions with our NICU families to get feedback on quality initiatives.
How Can I Become Involved?
For additional information about the Council or becoming a member, please send an email to Carli Meister.